How to Be a Discrimination Lawyer

A discrimination attorney represents clients who have suffered discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

People can subject others to unequal treatment in a variety of settings, the most common being employment, education and housing. Discrimination attorneys must specialize in discrimination law and should have good negotiation skills, as many discrimination cases settle outside the courtroom. In order to have a career as a discrimination attorney, you need to attend law school and take a few very difficult examinations.

1. You need to get a college education. Law schools don’t require any particular major or minor for acceptance, but you will need a Bachelor’s degree and a good GPA. While in college, take public speaking classes and develop your skills in comprehension and use of language. As a law student and future attorney, you will have to write concise and persuasive documents. Consider choosing philosophy, political science or history as a major, as these will give you some of the important skills a discrimination attorney needs and increase your chances of getting a good LSAT score.

2. Register for the LSAT. You will have to take the test a few months prior to applying to law school. You can take it right before applying to law school, but you won’t have time to retake it if you get a low score.

3. Make a short list of law schools to which you would like to apply. Application fees are high, and you will end up spending a lot of money if you apply to too many law schools. Assess your chances and prepare strong application files.

4. A full-time law school program lasts three years. You will have the chance to customize your curriculum in the second and third years of study. Choose discrimination law courses and negotiations courses.

5. While still a student, get a job as an assistant, file clerk or anything else available in the office of a discrimination attorney. Also look for opportunities to engage in a summer internship program.

6. Upon graduation from law school, you will receive a JD degree. You still have to pass the bar examination in your state to work as a licensed lawyer. Many law school graduates find the bar exam very difficult. If you don’t take extensive time to prepare, you might even have to take it a few times before passing.

7. After you become a practicing lawyer, start looking for a job. Check out the online career center on the American Bar Association’s website to get some tips and tricks on how to launch your career. Don’t get discouraged if you cannot get a job as a discrimination attorney right off the bat. Find a law firm that takes on discrimination cases, accept any job they have, prove yourself and start doing what you want.